2015

Please note that the sightings below do not reflect the variety of species you can see in a normal day out birding or wildlife watching. These reports concentrate on more unusual species or significant counts or movements.

31st July:

South Uist: Sea-watching at Ardvule early this morning produced the following flying south: 1,369 Gannets, 12 Fulmars, 51 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Storm Petrel, 3 Black Guillemots, 14 Razorbills, 5 Guillemots, flock of 10 Arctic Terns (all local birds now gone) and 7 Golden Plover in off sea. A Whimbrel was also still present.

Insects: 296 moths of 42 species were trapped in South Glendale last night including a worn Small Dotted Buff, as well as a Dark Sword-grass and Diamond-back Moth plus an odd form of White Ermine known as ab. godarti. 355 moths of 50 species were caught in Carinish including a Diamond-back and a Dark Sword-grass. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen at Ardivachar today; and it or another was also there on 17th.

Small Dotted Buff and White Ermine (John Kemp)

18th July:

Lewis: A Rose-coloured Starling was in South Dell today.

North Uist: The immature Iceland Gull was still at Aird an Runair.

South Uist: Seawatching at Ardvule this morning produced a southerly passage of 3 Great Northern Divers, 1423 Gannets, 21 Storm Petrels, 724 Manx Shearwaters, 67 Fulmars, 65 Razorbills, 18 Guillemots, 41 Auks sp., 2 Black Guillemots, 12 Puffins. Also 2 Great Skuas flew north and one south. A Red-necked Phalarope was at Balgarva this afternoon. 57 Black-tailed Godwits were at Eochar and 6 were at Loch an't-Saile along with a male Ruff.

Manx Shearwater, Great Northern Diver and Merlin (John Kemp)

16th July:

Insects:
2 Scotch Annulets were caught on Eriskay last night. Spectacular sight of around 4,500 Magpie Moths fluttering about over the heather in South Glendale at 0630 hrs this morning; also
4 Six-spot Burnets, 6 Yellow Shell, Large Heath, 4 Small Heath, 6 Meadow Brown, 2 Dark Green Fritillaries and 8 Common Blue in the afternoon.

Marine Sightings: A Minke Whale and a handful of Harbour Porpoise were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry this afternoon.

Merlin and Six-spot Burnet (John Kemp)

15th July:

Insects: 228 moths of 37 species were trapped in South Glendale last night including a Phiaris schulziana. On Daliburgh machair 70 moths of 14 species were caught including a single Map-winged Swift, Common Rustic, 2 Archer’s Darts, 10 Lime-speck Pugs, 2 Wormwood Pugs and 37 Pretty Pinions.

South Uist: 428 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Storm Petrels, 366 Gannets, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Pomarine Skuas and a Great Skua flew south at Ardvule early this morning; the Whimbrel was also still present. A Siskin is in South Glendale.

Pomarine Skuas (John Kemp)

11th July:

South Uist: 28 Storm Petrels and 219 Manx Shearwaters flew south past Ardvule early this morning.

10th July:

North Uist: A 1st summer Iceland Gull and a Little Stint were at Aird an Runair today.

South Uist: A Whimbrel is hanging around the Balgarva / Loch Bee area.

9th July:

Insects: Moths and butterflies on Daliburgh machair today included 6 Silver Y, 1 Cinnabar, 3 Middle-barred Minor and 24 Grass Rivulets while micros included 13 Micropterix aruncella and 10 Epiblema costipunctana. Also seen were Meadow Brown and 3 Common Blues.

8th July:

Marine Sightings: Around 6 Common Dolphins were seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry this afternoon.

7th July:

Lewis: A pair of Whinchats are feeding young in Carloway. Late news of an immature Great Spotted Woodpecker in Gress on 4th July. Also late news of a Rose-coloured Starling briefly in New Garrabost on 5th July.

Insects: A Bordered Straw was seen at Cheese Bay, North Uist today. Also a Painted Lady and Red Admiral were in Lochmaddy. 305 moths of 47 species were trapped in South Glendale last night including 81 Buff Ermines and the migrant micro moths; Rush Veneer and Daimondback.

Bordered Straw (Steve Duffield); Rush Veneer and Shark (John Kemp)

5th July:

North Uist: A male Blackcap was in Carinish today. a Crossbill was at Langass Wood.

South Uist: 5 Storm Petrels were picked up flying south at Ardvule early this morning; also 155 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Great Skua heading south. A Whitethroat was in South Glendale

Insects: At least 4 Bordered White moths, a female Drinker and a Common Wave were seen at Langass Wood today. Painted Ladies were seen at Ardivachar, Frobost and Ormiclate. Red Admirals were at Carinish and Ardivachar. 4 Micropterix aruncella were seen in South Glendale and 2 Silver Y's were also there.

Hen Harrier and Micropterix aruncella (John Kemp)

3rd July:

North Uist: a Whimbrel was in Carinish today.

Insects: A Red Admiral was in Carinish this evening. Moth trapping at Carnan last night produced 81 moths / 18 species. A Thyme Pug was trapped in South Glendale last night.

Thyme Pug (John Kemp)

2nd July:

South Uist: 4 Whimbrel were at Ardvule this afternoon.

1st July:

South Uist: An immature male Golden Oriole was in South Glendale this morning.